The Practice of Zakat and Poverty Alleviation in Accra, Ghana.

ABSTRACT
In Islam, poverty is considered as a very serious problem, and as such Islam recommends some strategies to address poverty. One of such strategies is Zakat which is seen as a mechanism to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in Muslim communities. The system of Zakat established by Islam is to help the poor find means of sustenance through the proceeds of Zakat, be it in the form of annual payments or through granting them permanent financial security. In view of the above, this study set out to examine how Zakat is practiced in Accra, Ghana; and to explore how it can be used to alleviate poverty in Madina UN as well as the Tuba Muslim communities in Accra. Consequently, the study utilized the collective administration of questionnaires and unstructured interview as a guide to solicit information from the respondents. One of the key findings of the study is that there is certain level of poverty among Muslims in Ghana, some of which are structural and colonial legacy. Also, the study identified that the lifestyles of some Muslims, and lack of prioritization may have also contributed to the poverty situation in the Muslim communities. Moreover, the research found that as a result of the negative implication of the effects of poverty, there have been attempts by various stakeholders to alleviate poverty and bring more dignity to the lives of Muslims. The research recommends among other things that Muslims should be well schooled in the teachings of Islam to practice meaningful lifestyles to help improve of their welfare and also assist in the alleviation of poverty. Additionally, there should be massive education about the modalities of Zakat, be it collection or distributions.